Tasting Counter

Tasting Counter was a small, multi-sensory restaurant in Somerville built around a U-shaped counter. Its philosophy was to create the shortest possible distance between where food is produced and the person eating it, and its founders opened it with the belief that the kitchen can be a restorative place for guests, staff and the planet. The Somerville location operated from 2015 until it closed in 2023, earning Best of Boston recognition along the way.

After closing, the founders announced that the restaurant would return in a new home in the Berkshires. They have identified farmland near Great Barrington, where they plan a growing space integrated with the dining room. Zoning, financing and construction are still in progress, with a best estimate of opening in late 2027, though timelines may shift. Pop-up events, including a Berkshire cookout, have kept the project going while the new site is planned.

What to Know

• The original Somerville space was about 1,000 square feet at the back of a brewery.
• The owners are seeking Founding Partner investors, with perks such as private investor dinners, priority ticketing and lifelong dining perks.
• A newsletter shares behind-the-scenes updates on the new site, dining concepts and the farmers and makers inspiring the team.